Location: Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Europe (45 Minutes From Carcassonne, 1 Hour From Toulouse.)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
Incredible Value.........
This 200 year old stone house is near Mirepoix, located a little over an hour's drive from Toulouse, an hour from the Mediterranean and about 3 hours from Barcelona. It is close to airports and train stations (Toulouse and Carcassonne.)
It was recently remodeled to include a master bedroom and full bath upstairs. A comfortable guest bedroom is also located upstairs, sharing the master bath. Both bedrooms have amazing views of the Pyrenées Mountains. An additional double guest bedroom with en suite bathroom is located downstairs. The house features a large sitting room with fireplace adjacent to a spacious typical French country kitchen and is furnished with country French antique furniture. A front terrace for alfresco dining offers dramatic vistas of the Pyrenées. Dark beamed ceilings and tile floors lend the house an elegant rustic ambiance.
The house is equipped with English language satellite television and a DVD library of classic movies as well as a CD player. The wireless router allows for internet access throughout the house. Central heating and a large fireplace will keep the place warm and comfortable during cool weather.
The 14 acre private property sits on a hill overlooking a verdant valley and the Pyrenées Mountains. The property is serene and private and is located an hour south of Toulouse and 45 minutes west of Carcassonne. The area abounds with historical landmarks, museums, walking trails and châteaux. A huge lake, lac Montbel, where you can swim and rent boats is a 5 minute drive away, and horseback riding is available in the summer months.
Access to the area is easy and inexpensive due to the frequent flights into Toulouse, an international airport with connections from all over Europe. Carcassonne provides inexpensive Ryan Air service from Stansted daily.
The house is located about 20 minutes from Mirepoix, an extraordinary Medieval village dating from the 13th century. Food shops as well as a newly renovated supermarket provide everything you could possibly need. The town has numerous restaurants in all price categories including the renowned RELAIS ROYAL, a Relais et Châteaux property with a tantalizing menu and wine list. This part of France, the Ariége, is famous for its cuisine, featuring cassoulet, duck and foie gras as well as its wines, including the Minervois and Corbiéres.
On the large central square in Mirepoix you can still admire the half-timbered houses supported on wood pillars, creating a magnificent covered arcade. The ends of the joists of the richest houses are sculpted, and the most beautiful sculptures are on the house of the Justice du Seigneur, which became in 1500 the Maison des Consuls, showing women's faces, bearded heads, a tortoise and other fantastical images.
The cathedral of St. Maurice has a single nave 48 m long, 24 m high, 22 m wide, a gothic gate and an elegant 60 m high pointed belltower. Of the cathedrals of Europe only that of Gerona in Spain has a wider nave. Inside, vandalism and demolitions destroyed many treasures but you can still admire a tabernacle, a Christ on the cross from the 14th century and seven paintings by Larivière-Vesontius.
This charming, peaceful little town is much appreciated because of its mild southern climate and easy access from the airports at Carcassonne and Toulouse.
Near Mirepoix you'll also want to visit:
- the church at Vals, carved out of stone by the Romans.
- the Château de Lagarde, built in the 14th century by the heirs of Guy de Lévis. At the apogee of its splendour it was nicknamed the "Le petit Versailles du Languedoc". Its magestic ruins hint at its glorious past.
- Camon, a small fortified village constructed around a Benedectine abbey that was founded by Charlemagne in 778.
- the "book town" Montolieu where you can find rare and unusual books of all kinds.
- The famous Cité of Carcassonne.
- Toulouse, "la ville rose", with its numerous restaurants, shops, museums and churches.
- Foix, with its extraordinary castle overlooking the entire region.
- The fortified village of Cordes-sur-Ciel, northeast of Toulouse.
- Albi, with its famous cathedral and Toulouse-Lautrec museum.
- The medieval town of Conque about 2 hours away in the Dordogne.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Double Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library: Numerous classic American movie DVDs available.
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Catering Available: Excellent catering available.
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Unobstructed southern view of the Pyrenees mountains.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$500-700/week
Special Fall and Winter rates apply for longer term rentals.
Payment by check in advance. (Either in Euros or US Dollars.)
Security Deposit $250 (refunded after damages and cleaning).
Partial payment required to hold reservation.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2002
Why the Owner Chose Carcassonne
This is a wonderful part of France that remains untouched by the frantic pace of the large cities and Provence. It offers mild weather, great cuisine and delightful wines at bargain prices. We could not find a better vacation spot when we were searching for a retreat from the hectic pace of city life.
The Unique Benefits of this House
The rich historical background of this region offers limitless opportunites for exploration. The cathedrals, Cathare ruins, museums and caves keep us occupied during our annual summer stay in Montplaisir. And every year we find something new and exciting.
Property Photos
- Montplaisir, Belloc, France - Vacation Rental House In Carcassonne Close To the Historic Site of Mirepoix.
- Front of house - Vacation Rental House In Carcassonne Close To the Historic Site of Mirepoix.
- Downstairs salon - Vacation Rental House In Carcassonne Close To the Historic Site of Mirepoix.
- Upstairs guest bedroom
- Master Bedroom
- View from terrace
- Mirepoix
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #181711
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Date last modified - November 06, 2009
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